Improvement in pen and pencil cases



'c. n. DUWNES.

Pen and Pencil Cases.

Patented Nov. 24,1874.

THE GRAPHIC c0. PilYO-LITH-QSI- 4-! HRK FLAC u UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

CHARLES H. DOWNES, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN PEN AND PENCIL CASES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,067, dated November 24, 1874; application filed February 9, 1874.

" of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Pen and Pencil Cases, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to that class of extension pen and pencil cases generally known as lock-cases, in which the pencil is made to project out of the case for use by looking or turning a notch in a tube upon a pin in the stem of the pencil, and then pushing in such tube in the direction in which the pencil is to be projected.

While this class of cases possess some advantages they are, as heretofore constructed, subject to the objection that when the pencil is projected for use the extension portion of the case is extended only a very little from the case, if at all, and in that condition the whole case, when the pencil is used, is too short for convenient use. One of the objects of my invention is to overcome this difficulty, and to furnish such a construction that the extension-piece may be fully extended, or at least sufficiently so to be convenient when the pencil is in position for use. The part of my invention which relates to this purpose consists of the combination, hereinafter described, of the extension-piece constructed to slide upon the tube, which extends and withdraws the pencil with other parts, whereby this extension-piece is made capable of being sufficiently extended while the pencil is in position for use, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The second part of my invention relates to the construction of the look-tube of the pencilcase of a smaller diameter than the tube, which, when the pencil is drawn into the case, incloses the pencil, or that portion of it which is projected when the pencil is used, and the arrangement of parts in the manner hereinafter described, which allows this part of the pencil to be made larger or, if of the same size, to be contained in a smaller case.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pen and pencil case embodying my invention, the extension-piece being represented as extended. Fig. 2 is a view of the same on a plane parallel to Fig. 1, and showing most of the parts in vertical central section. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the tube, which operates the pencil to project it out of the case and draw it in, as desired. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the locking-tube containing the pencil, and also shows, mainly in section, the tube, which, when the pencil is fully drawn into the case, contains that portion of it which is projected out of the case when in use. Fig. 5 is a view, chiefly in section, of a pencil-case containing the two features first named of my invention, and without any provision for a pen. Fig. 6 is a view, mostly in section, of a pen-and-pencil case containing my invention, in which the pencil-case is extended from the opposite end of the case from that from which the pen is extended, and in which the pencil is itself made capable of forming a part of the extension when the pen is used. Fig. 7 is a side View of a pencil-case containing the first and second parts of my invention. Fig. Sis a view of the same, partly in section.

A is the outside shell of the pen-case. B is the outside shell of the pencil-case. C is the extensionpiece, and D is the pencil. E is the outside band which carries the pen holder or slide F. a is a tube to receive the pencil, and which, in the constructions represented in all the figures except Fig. 6, is permanently secured in the usual manner, generally by soldering to a bridge or partial ring, I), in that end of the case from which the pencil is extended. 0 is the lock-tube, which is made of proper size to fit snugly into the tube a, and should be secured to it by soldering. This lock-tube c is designed to receive the stem or back part of the shaft of the pencil, and to furnish means for locking the pencil in its desired position. It is made smaller than the tube a, so as to fit this stem sufficiently closely, and does not extend so far into the tube a as to interfere with the withdrawal of the portion of the pencil which, when in use, is projected from the case,

the rear end of which projecting portion is designed to be made to fit the tube a, the object of which construction being to permit the fluted portion or inner end of the projecting portion of the pencil to be made larger. than the stem of the pencil, and larger than it could be made if the tubes 0. and 0 were both of the same size, without increasing the size of the case. 01 is a tube fitted to slide on the outside of the tube 0, to project the pencil from the case and to withdraw it, when desired. The tubes 0 and d are slotted nearly their whole length, as shown in the drawings, to receive the pin 0, which is securely fastened in the inner end of the stem ofthepencil, and the tube chas a notch formed at each end of the said slot as shown clearly in Fig. 4, and partially shown in Fig. 2, for locking the pencil in the desired position, either projecting from the case for use or drawn in when not in use. The extension-piece U is made to fit quite snugly upon the tube d, but not so snugly but that it may slide upon it by the application of more force than is necessary to slide the pencil in projecting it out of the case or withdrawing it. This extension-piece (J should also be provided with aring of metal soldered to the outside thereof near the inner end, to prevent its being drawn entirely out of the case, or any other device that will accomplish this purpose and that may be preferred may be adopted. f is a tube, placed outside of the extension-piece (J, and firmly secured at both ends in the case, its purpose being to give greater strength and steadiness to the parts, and to perfectly inclose from View the parts operating the pencil in a pen-and-pencil case. In a case which is designed for a pencil only, this tubef is not necessary, and though useful in a pen-and-pencil case, it is not even there i11- dispensable.

The operation is as follows: In the forms of construction shown in all the figures, except Fig. 6, and commencing with the pencil in its retired position or drawn into the case, and the extension-piece pushed inor, in other words, all the parts being in the position they should be when carried in the pocket-to project the pencil for use the extensiolrpiece 0 should be first drawn out at least the length of the slot in the tube (Z and turned over to the right, or with the sun, sufficiently to engage the pin 0 in the notch at the end of this slot, and sufficiently farther to release said pin from the notch (shown in Figs. 2 and 4 in the drawin in the tube 0. The extension-piece is then pushed in, which projects the pencil, and again turned over to the right, which brings the pin 6 into the notch at the outer end of the slot in the tube 0, and locks the pencil in position for use. The extension-piece C may then be drawn back to its full extent Without deangin g the position of the pencil or that of any of the parts used to project and withdraw it, the extension-piece (J sliding with friction upon the tube (1. By this means the case may be extended to its full length when the pencil is used. To return the parts to their proper position for carrying in the pocket, the extensionpiece should be first pushed in and then turned to the left or against the sun, which latter motion releases the pin 0 from the lock. The extension-piece is then drawn back till the pin 0 reaches the inner end of the slot in the tube 0, when the extension piece should be again turned to the left, so as to engage the pin 6 in notch at that end of the slot in the tube 0, and the extension-piece should then be pushed directly in as far as it is permitted to go. This returns all the parts to their properposition to be carried in thepocket. When the pen is to be used it is projected from the casein the usual manner by means of the band E, and the extensionpiece 0 is drawn out, without turning, to its full extent. The reverse of these motions returns the parts to their proper position for the pocket.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 6 the pencil is contained in the extension-piece, but the same means are required for its operation as those already described, and the construction of the internal parts is substantially similar.

The fitting of the extension-tube O to slide with friction on the tube which pushes out and withdraws the pencil, as hereinbefore described, instead of making it fast thereto, as has heretofore been done, allows the case to be fully extended, while at the same time the advantages of the lock-case are retained, among which latter advantages may be mentioned, that it is less liable to get out of order than the paragon case, in which the projection of the pencil is effected by means of spiral slots and tubes in thecase. The makin 30f the tube 0 smaller than the tube a, as described, allows the use of a larger pencil in proportion to the size of the case, which is a very considerable advau tage. The advantages of the tube f have already been explained.

1 claim as my invention-- 1. The combination of the outside shell or case,'pencil D, slotted tubes 0 and d, the extension-piece C, said extension-piece being fitted to slide upon the tube cl, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

2. The combination of the pencil D, tube a, longitudinally-slotted lock-tube 0, propellingtube (1, and pin 0, the tube 0 being made smaller than the tube a, and the pin 6 being arranged in the smaller portion of the pencil D, and extending into the slots of both the tubes 0 and d, substantially as set forth.

CHAS. H. DOWNES. Witnesses:

Tnos. P. How, ANNA M. NORTIIROI. 

